Method for hydrogenating aromatic polymers in the presence of special catalysts

Abstract

A process for hydrogenating aromatic polymers is disclosed. The process entails using a supported catalyst wherein support contains alumina and where the catalyst comprise at least one metal of subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table. The catalyst is characterized in that the pore volume of the pores having diameters of 1000 to 10,000 Angstrom is 15 to 100% relative to the total pore volume, as determined by mercury porosimetry.

1. A process for the hydrogenation of aromatic polymers in the presence of catalysts, wherein a metal or a mixture of metals of subgroup VIII of the periodic table, together with a support comprising alumina, is used as a catalyst, and the pore volume corresponding to the pore diameter of the catalyst between 1000 and 10,000 Å, as measured by mercury porosimetry, is 70 to 30% with respect to the total pore volume as measured by mercury porosimetry. 
     
     
       2. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the catalysts have a pore volume, as measured by nitrogen sorption, of less than 10% for pore diameters less than 600 Å. 
     
     
       3. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the metals are selected from nickel, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium and palladium. 
     
     
       4. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the process is conducted in the presence of solvents which can be used for hydrogenation reactions. 
     
     
       5. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the catalyst has a specific surface greater than 5 m 2 /g. 
     
     
       6. A process for hydrogenating aromatic polymers comprising using a supported catalyst wherein support contains alumina and where the catalyst comprise at least one metal of subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table, said catalyst characterized in that the pore volume of the pores having diameters of 1000 to 10,000 Angstrom, is 30 to 70% relative to the total pore volume, said pore volume determined by mercury porosimetry.